The Effect of Background Music on Reading Comprehension Test Scores

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of background music on reading comprehension. Would the playing of background music positively affect the scores on a reading comprehension test? A statistical analysis of pretest scores from the Degree of Reading Power test revealed that both classes were of equal reading ability at the onset of the study. The experimental classroom listened to Mozart's Concerto No. 21, C Major, K. 467 for several weeks prior to the study being conducted, during Sustained Silent Reading time. The Metropolitan Achievement Test - Form L was administered to both classes as a practice. This was done to familiarize the experimental group with background music during a testing situation. Form M of the Metropolitan Achievement Test was administered several days later to both groups. A two-tailed t_test of the post test scores showed a statistically positive difference in the test scores favoring the experimental group. The experimental group with background music performed significantly better on the reading comprehension test.